Why did Perempuan let the child ascend in The Platform 2? Explained

The Platform 2 is the sequel to Netflix's The Platform, which came out in 2019. The movie is an excellent commentary on human greed. Set in a dystopian setting, the film explores human behavior in adversity and the extent to which humans can 'descend' due to their greed.

The Platform 2 starts with the pit divided between loyalists and barbarians. While loyalists eat only to survive and do not overconsume, the barbarians believe only in their own survival and eat as much as they like.

We meet Perepuan, who is initially a loyalist and supports solidarity. But as the movie progresses and she realizes the horrors of the people she is trapped with, she is forced to become a barbarian.

To survive, Perepuan compromises her conscience, and as she moves further down the pit, she begins to understand and find answers about the pit and the experiment within this prison.

What does Perepuan's letting the child ascend mean in The Platform 2?

While Perepuan was initially a loyalist, saving the child is a form of redemption for her and a callback to her innate goodness. When things get brutal at the end of The Platform 2, Perepuan blocks her airways, chokes, and falls to the ground.

When she finally regains consciousness, she finds herself attached to a harness with other dead bodies. Upon reaching level 333, she sees the cleaners tucking a baby at the bottommost level of the pit.

This is where her dilemma comes into play—whether to selfishly escape the pit or sacrifice herself and save the baby from the brutalities of the pit. Perepuan chooses the latter and hits her head (signifying her death) while saving the baby.

This act of Perepuan saving the baby redeems her because, in doing so, she not only saves the baby (who is a symbol of innocence) but also sacrifices her life.

Did Perepuan redeem herself in the ending of The Platform 2?

While Perepuan chooses to save the baby, this suggests she redeemed herself and could escape the pit. However, the platform further descends because even though Perepuan is redeemed, she cannot be allowed to go back because of her past corrupt actions.

The ending of The Platform 2 suggests that while Perepuan was able to break free from her guilt and redeem herself by saving the baby, she couldn't literally escape the pit.

Redemption always comes with a cost, and by letting the child escape, she becomes the sacrificial figure for the greater good at the movie's end.

How does Perepuan's sacrifice in The Platform 2 set up the premise for a third movie?

Perepuan's sacrifice in The Platform 2 sets up the premise for a third movie. The child is sent as a message to the Authority above, which could lead to a revelation of their true actions.

While a scene in the movie shows how the Authority places a new child every month at Level 333, the next film could explore different pits that exist in other parts of the world. This could further reveal the Authority's true intentions and the reason for this social experiment.

Also Read: The Platform 2: Release date.